Alyssa Milano on accused sexual harassers: 'We can't put all these men on an island'

Alyssa Milano arrives at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globes after party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif.(Photo: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

PASADENA, Calif. – Alyssa Milano isn't giving up an inch of the progress women in Hollywood have made since the #MeToo era began.

The actress, who helped spread the hashtag in the wake of sexual harassment and assault allegations against film mogul Harvey Weinstein, spoke Sunday to reporters at the Television Critics Association along with other female Lifetime actors, producers and directors, about the state of the industry. When asked what happens when men accused of misconduct re-enter the workplace, Milano wasn't concerned.

"That’s going to happen," she said, when a reporter asked about reports that ousted CBS chairman Leslie Moonves has set up a new production company. "We can’t expect that not to happen. We can’t put all these men on an island and expect them to eat themselves. They’re going to get jobs again. We have to figure out (what) re-entering into the workplace looks like. ... We have to set policies."

Milano advocated for strong contracts and internal resources to curb the power of these men.

"I also think that’s contractual as well," she said. "If you’re funding Les Moonves or working with him, I think you need have an ironclad contract." She also suggested using human-resources experts that are "maybe external not internal. ... I think if anything we have proved if you speak up you can hold people accountable for their abuses of power."

Milano isn't worried that progress made since #MeToo began will be undone.

It's time for the Television Critics Association's winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., where networks present their shows to TV journalists. Here, Eva Longoria listens during a panel for ABC's "Grand Hotel." Longoria serves as an executive producer on the new series. Willy Sanjuan, Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP